Samuel Gray, a past president of the NAACP and husband of a current Battle Creek City Commissioner, says trying to get the vote out is like 'beating your head against the wall.'

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On Nov. 5, 23 precincts in Battle Creek will be filled with voters for consolidated elections in Battle Creek - at least that's what the candidates hope.

In the past, Calhoun County residents have had dismal voter participation rates in local elections. In the November 2011 elections for city commissioner at large, no more than 29 percent of registered voters in each area participated in the voting process.

Within the city more than 46,000 people, or 91 percent, are registered to vote. Of the five wards representing the city, the highest percentage of registered voters from any precinct was ...